Texas Roadhouse coming to Crystal Lake

CRYSTAL LAKE – The T.G.I. Friday's restaurant in Crystal Lake will be shuttered some time next year to make way for a Texas Roadhouse restaurant.

The Crystal Lake City Council approved plans last week for the new 300-seat southwestern-themed restaurant. Texas Roadhouse will take over the space occupied by T.G.I. Friday's at 835 Cog Circle off Route 14 in Crystal Lake.

Renovation work on the building could start in the spring, said Michelle Rentzsch, the city's director of planning and economic development.

Once complete, the redesigned building will feature three garage doors that can be opened in the summer to provide for alfresco dining. Many other interior and exterior changes also are planned as the restaurant is transformed, Rentzsch said.

Texas Roadhouse is a casual dining restaurant chain known for its free peanuts, country music and lively atmosphere. In August, Consumer Reports named it the noisiest chain in the United States after a survey of 47,000 diners. The chain took the designation as a compliment.

Texas Roadhouse has more than 385 restaurants in 47 states. In Illinois, it has locations in Bradley, Champaign, Decatur, East Peoria, Joliet, Naperville, Rockford, Shiloh, Springfield and Tinley Park. The company plans to open 28 restaurants in 2013, including one in Quincy in February, according to its website.

It was not immediately clear when T.G.I. Friday's would cease operations at the location. Restaurant employees said last week that they didn't have a specific date. A corporate spokeswoman said she would look into the matter but didn't respond to questions from the Northwest Herald by press time.

T.G.I. Friday's has more than 900 restaurants in more than 60 countries.

The Crystal Lake City Council also approved plans this week for Sweet Melissa’s, a wine and cheese bar slated for the storefront of the Jaster Building at 414 W. Virginia St.